ACQUISITION OF THE CAT-SCRATCH DISEASE AGENT BARTONELLA-HENSELAE BY CAT FLEAS (SIPHONAPTERA, PULICIDAE)

We assayed the ability of cat fleas to become infected with Bartonella henselae, using an artificial feeding device. Fleas fed a concentrati on of 1 x 10(5) cfu/ml in blood were examined using immunofluorescent antibody assay and polymerase chain reaction. Bacteria were present in the gut at 3 h, and persisted up to 9 d after infection. Qualitativel y, the density of B. henselae was greater in the flea gut at 9 d, indi cating that replication was occurring in the gut. B. henselae also was detected in tile feces of infected fleas 9 d after infection, and pro duced viable colonies upon inoculation onto heart infusion agar/rabbit blood plates. Our results indicate that fleas can maintain infection with B. henselae, and may play a role in the transmission of this bact erium from infected cats to humans.